Slacking off isn't working hard

Fang Yao's inner commentary continued, but Bo Miao no longer had the energy to listen. Her brain had tied itself in knots and started growing mushrooms, leaving her sitting on the sofa in a daze.

Seeing Bo Miao like this, the Bo family felt a little sorry for her. Yet they also thought this was a good opportunity to knock some sense into her. What a dilemma. (ー`´ー)

Bo Zhe privately wondered whether the mushrooms growing out of Bo Miao's head would be enough for a meal.

The Bo family punched Bo Zhe into outer space. (´д`) "I'll be back." Bo Miao looked up at her second brother as he was sent flying, dusted off her hands, and tossed aside her brick.

[I'd call this "I got caught in the rain, so I'm going to tear up everyone else's umbrellas." If I can't have it, neither can you.]

After offering that private observation, Fang Yao looked up to find the entire Bo family staring at her. Bo Miao, in particular—why did she look so dazed?

Why was everyone so quiet? Were they waiting for me to give my opinion?

Fang Yao cleared her throat. "Ahem. Since we've decided to investigate, sooner is better than later. Let's get started now. Bo Miao, keep your lips sealed. Ideally, you should take us to see just how hard your boyfriend is working sometime."

"Okay..." Bo Miao replied in a muffled voice. "I'm a little tired. I'm going back to my room to rest. Grandpa, Grandma, Hanmo, Fang Yao, Zhe, good night."

Fang Yao glanced at the brilliant sunshine outside. It was only noon. What did she mean, good night?

[Wasn't she full of energy just a moment ago? Why did she suddenly wilt?]

Bo Miao returned to her room in a daze, flung herself onto her mattress, then rolled over to stare at the ceiling.

Once Bo Miao left, the others prepared to disperse as well. Before leaving, Old Master Bo patted Bo Hanmo on the shoulder. As he passed Fang Yao, he gave her a look of approval.

Fang Yao was baffled. ????? Why was he suddenly looking at me like that???? It made her feel like a naughty child who had finally turned over a new leaf, transforming an elder's heartache into relief.

Fang Yao shook those strange thoughts out of her head. Σ(☉▽☉"a

She looked at Bo Hanmo's shoulder, confirmed that there was nothing dirty on it, then looked up at the old man on the stairs.

Should we take him to the hospital to get his eyes checked?

The old lady took Fang Yao's hand, drew her closer, and patted the back of it. "Yao, you put that so well. We'll leave teaching the younger ones to you."

With that, the old lady gave Bo Hanmo an approving look. Fang Yao went numb. What did I even say!!! How did educating my brother-in-law and sister-in-law become my job? And Bo Hanmo, what are you smiling about!!

Fang Yao wore an expression that said, Who am I? What am I doing here?

Bo Zhe also wanted to say a few words to his sister-in-law, but under Bo Hanmo's intimidating gaze, he merely nodded at Fang Yao and left.

Unable to make sense of it, Fang Yao reached for the snacks on the coffee table and started eating. She had only taken a few bites when someone snatched them away. She shot the culprit a fierce glare.

Bo Hanmo waved the snacks in his hand. "It's almost lunchtime. Save these for the afternoon."

Fang Yao figured he had a point. Her fierce glare softened into docility. "Fine."

At both lunch and dinner, Bo Miao ate in silence before returning to her room. No one could coax her downstairs. That evening, Fang Yao passed her room and heard her talking, presumably on the phone with her boyfriend.

Early the next morning, Bo Miao came downstairs and headed straight for the door. Bo Hanmo stopped her as she tried to avoid them. "Where are you going? Aren't you having breakfast?"

"Ah... I'll skip it. I'm meeting someone..." Bo Miao traced circles on the floor with her toe. Unlike yesterday, she was quiet today and seemed inclined to hide from everyone.

Bo Hanmo's gaze darkened as he watched her reaction.

"Don't worry," Bo Zhe said. "Until we have the results, I won't tell you two to break up again. Didn't you say he was looking for premises and drumming up business? Then he must be working hard right now. We'll go see how well your boyfriend puts his plans into action today."

Bo Miao stared at Bo Zhe with wide, disbelieving eyes. Was this really her second brother?

"R-really, Zhe?"

Bo Zhe nodded. "Of course. Hanmo gave me a talking-to. Now behave yourself and come have breakfast. Once Fang Yao gets up, you can take us to observe your boyfriend at work and learn more about what he does."

Bo Miao nodded repeatedly and obediently sat down to eat breakfast. "Okay. I'll call Brother Tian in a bit and tell him you're coming."

Bo Hanmo and Bo Zhe exchanged a glance. "Better not call him," Bo Zhe said. "We'll go in secret, so your boyfriend doesn't get the wrong idea and think we're looking down on him. We'll just take a discreet look. Once we've confirmed things, we can stop worrying."

Bo Miao opened her mouth wide and nearly choked, hastily swallowing her food. "Right! Why didn't I think of that? Okay, but we'll have to stay well hidden. We can't let Brother Tian spot us."

Seeing his little sister so eager and considerate toward another man made Bo Zhe jealous.

The rest of the Bo family felt the same. Watching a pig circle their precious cabbage left them with feelings they couldn't describe.

Fang Yao slept until noon. When she heard at the dining table that they were going on a stakeout today, she had absolutely no desire to leave the house.

"Why can't you just go yourselves? Why drag me along!! And you, Bo Hanmo—how do you have so much free time? You're not losing money on my investments, are you?" Wearing a flat expression, Fang Yao complained to the two men who had hauled her into the car.

Bo Hanmo rubbed his nose. "Don't worry. I'll cover any losses."

Only then did Fang Yao's expression improve a little. She turned to Bo Zhe.

Bo Zhe raised his hands. "Fang Yao, what if we don't find that guy working hard, but slacking off instead? I'm worried the person sitting next to you might cry!"

Fang Yao rolled her eyes. Then you should've just left Bo Miao at home. With such lovely sunshine, it's the perfect day for a nap in the garden.

Bo Miao gave Fang Yao a pleading look and ingratiatingly massaged her shoulders.

"I just wanted you to keep Hanmo in check. I'm afraid he'll hit someone." Bo Miao spoke so quietly that no one else in the car heard her except Fang Yao.

Assistant Fang kept glancing at the rearview mirror as he drove, a few little sheep bounding around in his heart and secretly plucking at his heartstrings.

Judging by the boss's conversation, they're off to do something shady today. I wonder if I can join in. Don't worry, I'll do it for free. If anything unexpected happens, I can even help!

Assistant Fang: (ΦωΦ)

"Hanmo, Zhe, Fang Yao, look! I told you, didn't I? Brother Tian works really hard." Hands on her hips, Bo Miao proudly showed him off to the three of them.

Fang Yao exchanged glances with Bo Hanmo and Bo Zhe. This was it? Was Bo Miao blindfolded? Was this supposed to be working hard? He was just loafing around, wasting his days with his no-good friends.

[Tsk, tsk, tsk. Just how blind do you have to be to mistake slacking off for working hard?]

Hearing Fang Yao belittle the man she loved so harshly, Bo Miao instantly flushed with embarrassment and anger. Yet she also looked at Fang Yao with hurt in her eyes. "Fang Yao..."

Her sister-in-law was a woman just like her. How could she not understand how hard a boyfriend had it?